Upon Hearing of Your Passing.

Years from now when I read of your passing, I won’t imagine you in some abstract place. I want to picture you where you were the happiest- by the stream, where the ocean is never far, with book in hand, countless chapters, and no one to interrupt you.

Relaxing under a cerulean sky, blue-winged birds soaring.
The years, an heir to what was, golden, swinging light
as a breeze on an olive branch. The sky opening in their final valediction.

The sunlight dusting your hair, the fringe of grass.
The water from the stream flowing upward against the backdrop
of an eternal, carefree day.

The wisp of yourself pouring into the syntax in front of you. Words open again and again. Never taking back what they promise.
A thousand words to sustain you. Peace hemmed cover to endless cover.

Paused on the footnote of the page, you look up. Freedom in your gaze. Liberation in the moment. How still you are. How content. The words happening here. You look back down: your finger in the book. Your heart still, attuned to the glimmering of the stone.
The precipice attained.

Resonated with me as well Tosha. You know New Year’s Eve I drove by a funeral home and they were conducting one based on the activity (folks leaving, cars departing, etc.). I thought to myself “what a rough way to start a New Year.” I said a prayer for that family and am sure they are doing what you suggest in your words above.

This is so lovely, Tosha — I’m really enjoying these longer lines for some reason — pushin’ the prose, 🙂 And this music — can’t tell you how many times I’ve played this soundtrack as I write; it’s gorgeous. Beautiful indeed. 🙂

Though a lot times I forget what I am about to say. People never really leave, never really die, there thoughts actions words painting have an effect on me, and that is how there is always life.. Yup, I say that, and also I seem to forget that a lot too. I really like this one!!

Hey , I sent you 2 emails with attachments of my songs. There are six songs written by me and 1 song by R.E.M. Sent them to your tmwoody90@gmail.com address.. I do not have my new stuff anywhere on the web other than my sitehttp://www.tedgiffin.com Lemme know if you get the emails..thank for listening..

Tosha, I read it first and then read it again with music. I some water in my eyes on the second read. Is this your happy place…a space you visit when meditating perhaps? Is it how you would want to be remembered? No need to answer…just sharing where your art took me.

Poet and word nerd. . Author of Confessions of a Reformed Southern Belle: A Poet's Collection of Love, Loss, and Renewal, and Self Help to Self Harm: The Dubious Guide to Life, Love, and Relationships. Podcast host at La Literati. Social Justice Advocate- Bridge to Freedom. Academia addict. Sempiternal dreamer. Habitual ponderer. Lover of history, free thinkers, and music with lots of brass.